Quote:
Originally Posted by Tdol English nouns don't have grammtical masculine or feminine forms. However, some nouns have different forms according to gender:
waiter (male) waitress (female)
lion lioness
tiger tigress |
1. Most female words in English are stand alone and not derivations (man - woman) as in other languages. However, the
-er ending as in
teacher is male in origin.
2. AFAIK Richard some female forms sound disparaging: managress
Maybe this distinction is disappearing: flight attendant instead of steward/stewardess
3. Another area would be the
adjective blonde (an
e at the end) if the person described is female. Some adjectives are reserved for either sex:
beautiful and pretty: although a beautiful/pretty boy might be possible. Male adjectives are handsome and good-looking.
4. Some
nouns refer to only female gender: stocking, tights...
5. Some
jobs are only female: nurse... A man might be called a male nurse
6. Of course natural sex is self-explanatory: daughter, mother, niece and those words associated with women: pregnant, give birth, have/deliver a baby...Specific female health issues
7. Titles: Ms /Mrs